My first Chinese Binoculars - anybody have info on these, or identify them? (1 Viewer)

[Rathaus]

Chinese Military Binoculars - anybody have info on these, or identify them?

I just picked these up from a second hand shop. The bloke said probably Chinese military ...1962...and that's what it looks like. I don't think I've had a Chinese binocular before...my old tascos and zeniths etc were made in Japan I think.

What surprised me is the optical quality! These things are really sweet, with a slightly bigger APFOV than my same spec military habicht. I have a feeling that the right sided reticle is very slightly degrading the image on the right side.

I've read maybe Optic Nut and others here who are familiar with this type of Chinese binocs and I wouldn't mind a recap on these ones here if possible.

Other than that they don't look like they've been touched since 1962. A gentle wipe and the lenses are glistening jewel like. The only fault I can detect so far is a slight casting defect o the front left bridge arm. Nothing huge.

Anybody know what the rings are next to each objective?

Cheers, Rathaus

 

[Rathaus]

Another shot

 

[typo]

Do those rings unscrew? Could they be ports for inserting desiccant tubes?

David

 

[Rathaus]

Do those rings unscrew? Could they be ports for inserting desiccant tubes?

David

I've been probing at them and I've got no idea. They don't appear to have proper pin wrench holes....more like dimples.

Also, looking through the objective end, through the binoculars, on some angles with the light I can see straight and very fine glass surface grind marks....of the prisms.? However, in use while not the last word in brightness or resolution, they have a lovely sweet spot.

They were $90 so...I'll see how they go...worst case scenario, I'll evict them from their fine leather case which can then become home to one of my naked Habichts. I can then allow the mascara eyed ladies of the house free reign of these Chinese binos :-O

 

[Rathaus]

Here's a close up of the mystery circle. Part of the rough cast bridge can be seen here too

 

[Rathaus]

Another shot of the rough cast bridge. Could it be a military reject from 1962?

 

[winwinbino]

Those are civilian imitation "62". 62 is a Chinese military assigned code number, not = 1962.

 

[Rathaus]

Those are civilian imitation "62". 62 is a Chinese military assigned code number, not = 1962.

Like a civilian habicht is to a military Habicht?...or perhaps not such a desirable comparison.
The instruction manual States '1962'. So how old would they be?
The case does look very civilian though...hand stitched leather and purple corduroy lining... for the Chinese military? The corduroy is quite neatly hand loop stitched into place. The case is depicted in the manual too.

Sheesh, the last time I dropped $90 on binos I ended up with the evil itching arsenic flaking vintage French binos

 

[Binastro]

. Could it be from 1998?

If those mysterious circular plates have glass inserts, is it something to do with infrared? Or lasers?

What colours are the coatings?

 

[Roadbike]

Here's a close up of the mystery circle. Part of the rough cast bridge can be seen here too

The dimpled mystery circle sure looks like it is designed to take a special wrench.
And to quickly gouge out if you try anything else.

If you can find a small solid rubber child's ball use that to press and turn. Who knows what surprises may be inside!

 

[etudiant]

Could it be a civil market version of the military glass?
That would explain the fancy case and perhaps also the circle. It might be just a cover for a place where the military glass would have a window to charge a light sensitive cell, as exemplified in the old Zeiss Jena 7x40 Checkpoint Charlie model.

 

[winwinbino]

Like a civilian habicht is to a military Habicht?...or perhaps not such a desirable comparison.
The instruction manual States '1962'. So how old would they be?
The case does look very civilian though...hand stitched leather and purple corduroy lining... for the Chinese military? The corduroy is quite neatly hand loop stitched into place. The case is depicted in the manual too.

Sheesh, the last time I dropped $90 on binos I ended up with the evil itching arsenic flaking vintage French binos

Many optics factories (?) in China make imitation "62". Yours are one of the cheap version which sell around $60 domestically new.

The real military "62" stop their production in 1988.

China military started produce these bins in 1962, hence called "62".

 

[Rathaus]

. Could it be from 1998?

If those mysterious circular plates have glass inserts, is it something to do with infrared? Or lasers?

What colours are the coatings?

The mystery circle has what appears to be a frosted glass or hard plastic of some sort in the centre. Looking through the objective, Directly beneath the circle (inside) is a black metal box which continues down to become the objective side prism case/cover.

The coatings, if any, are a light torquise colour. It's not a heavy looking coating either way.

Cheers, Rathaus

 

[Rathaus]

Many optics factories (?) in China make imitation "62". Yours are one of the cheap version which sell around $60 domestically new.

The real military "62" stop their production in 1988.

China military started produce these bins in 1962, hence called "62".

Winwinbino
Could you direct me to an internet source or link showing this product and its case for sale. It's fascinating stuff and could solve my mystery.

Rathaus

 

[LPT]

It may well be an IR detector. See this review of the NVA DF 7x40: http://www.holgermerlitz.de/kronos8x40.html

 

[winwinbino]

Winwinbino
Could you direct me to an internet source or link showing this product and its case for sale. It's fascinating stuff and could solve my mystery.

Rathaus

Here you are. But, it is in Chinese. Different grades from different suppliers.

http://world.taobao.com/search/sear...p_cb&cna=rIK/Dcro4nICARs376YwFXDB&abtest=null

 

[winwinbino]

This article from Holger surely help.
http://www.holgermerlitz.de/seven8x30.html

 

[Rathaus]

This article from Holger surely help.
http://www.holgermerlitz.de/seven8x30.html

Many thanks winwinbino! This is it. The mystery circles are Silica gel cartridges. Holger states they were in service from 60s to 90s, and obviously still made for civilians from your other link. He rates them quite well.

Many look identical but I still haven't found the exact model match on that Chinese web page so perhaps mine are outdated.

Rathaus

 

[Rathaus]

This article from Holger surely help.
http://www.holgermerlitz.de/seven8x30.html

I've found mine on this site. It's not the 62-8WYJ as Holger tested. Instead it is inscripted with "62 'then single Chinese character'" exactly as seen in the second Bino in the link...scroll down.

http://world.taobao.com/item/45647490125.htm?spm=a312a.7700714.0.0.8fegYU#detail

Sorry to bore people to death with this thread :smoke:

 

[Rathaus]

I Was reading the monocular thread and I'm thinking of turning these Chinese military bins into a couple of monoculars for the kids to play with. The case is easily the best bit and I'm hoping some Nikon 8EII will fit.

So, I'm thinking a padded vice, a hacksaw and then filing the nasty leftover bits and maybe some electrical tape to finish. Any thoughts on this surgical procedure? Dremel instead?

Cheers